would you like some coffee? how about a coup?

i woke up this morning to a grey rainy day and a bloodless military coup. there had been talk of it at dinner, a heads up from a journalist friend, and i received late night texts from home asking about the situation. when i woke at 5 am to a peaceful bangkok, i only remembered the conversation after my shower. turning on the television, i found all channels blocked except Bloomberg, where their discussion of the dropping Baht was my indication of the goings on of the evening. having no word from the school, i dressed and met my colleague in the lobby, where we were met by an elderly asian woman who explained everything was closed down. i phoned the school’s administrator, and the closing was confirmed. my first coup day! after calling home and reassuring everyone i was fine, i was able to chat with my brother for a minute online and give him the all clear, as well. i took a cappuccino and some fruit for breakfast, and then, in defiance of chicken little’s warning to stay indoors, we ventured a few soi’s over to the atm machine and grocery store. the streets were exceptionally quiet, with only trains, busses and very few cars moving along. street vendors sold breakfast for the service men and women on their way to work, and a steady drizzle pissed on my head. heading back to the hotel, i ran into mark and Patrick, and joined them with their friend at breakfast.